Vandals target Christopher Columbus statue in Providence

A statute of Christopher Columbus in Providence was vandalized on the federal holiday that marks the Italian explorer's arrival in the Americas in 1492.

Red and black paint was discovered Monday on the statue at the corner of Elmood and Lexington avenues.

The vandalism included an expletive followed by Columbus' name.

Emily Crowell, a spokesperson with Mayor Jorge Elorza's office, told NBC 10 News that their office is working to have the graffiti removed.

"The Providence Police are aware of the vandalism and are investigating," Crowell said.

During the afternoon, city workers finished power-washing the statue and successfully removed the paint.

Still, some say the sight of the statue has caused them negative emotions through the years.

“It was built on the graves of Native Americans,” Darrell Waldon of the Rhode Island Regional Indian Council said. “I never had a lot of love for the statue as a Native American growing up in this area. I don't believe there is one Native American statue in Rhode Island.”